Web Watch from Swatch, Sega

Share

Web Watch from Swatch, Sega

TOKYO – Need movie schedules or information on the latest exhibit at your local museum?

Check your watch.

That is the answer according to Sega Enterprises Ltd, the world's third-largest video game console maker, and Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group AG.

The companies announced on Thursday plans for a new type of watch providing a range of Internet services, using Sega's Dreamcast home video game console and a Swatch watch with wireless communications features.

Under the arrangement, users of Dreamcast, which is equipped with a built-in modem to access the Net, can download information from the Internet and transfer it to a memory chip on the watch.

Users then can carry that information around in the watch, uploading it onto another Dreamcast machine or in places such as cinemas that are equipped with special adapters built by Sega.

Although the data, such as arrangements for movie tickets or other forms of e-commerce, cannot be viewed on the watch itself, the deal marks a new twist on how to manipulate information from cyberspace and signals another step by video game companies into Web technology.

"The cooperation with Swatch will bring the potential of cyberspace to game users..." said Sega chairman Isao Okawa.

The watch to be used is the Swatch Access model, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The watch will be updated with wireless communications features enabling it to receive data and messages from Dreamcast machines. Users hold the watch up against an adapter connected to the Dreamcast console, and the information is transferred.

The Swatch Access technology is already being used for ski passes in 500 ski resorts in 30 countries and for city passes allowing access to places like museums, public transport, and leisure facilities, the statement said.

The companies plan to launch the watch worldwide between April and May at a price of 15,000-20,000 yen (US$130-180).

Swatch President Nick Hayek declined to comment on a sales target, but said: "I would be very disappointed if we don't sell one million watches in a short term."

Swatch has been working for some time on an "e-watch" equipped with electronic mail, Internet access, tele-payment, and data applications, Swatch spokeswoman Carmen Daetwyler said in late December.